At age six I knew I wanted to be a teacher and I worked hard to pursue that passion. After a long and bumpy road, I finally graduated from the University of North Carolina Greensboro with a B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Shortly thereafter I left the comforts of my home in the states to teach English in Japan as part of the JET Programme. It was a life-changing experience and honor to live, teach and learn so much about not only Japan but the world as a whole during my three years in Aomori, Japan. During my time there I learned about the international school system and pursued finding a job in that realm. Ten years ago I was hired to be an elementary homeroom teacher at The American School in Taichung. During those years I taught students in grades 1-4. Two years ago my position at the school changed to become the Social and Emotional Coordinator. I now work to support students in grades 1-12 with their Social and Emotional development through guided lessons and program initiatives. What I thought would be a year or two away from home has now turned into fourteen enriching years of cultural and life experiences. I’m so incredibly grateful for the opportunities I get to experience as a global educator. These experiences have inspired the creation and development of Know My World, a global nonprofit organization I co-founded 10 years ago after a very unique experience while visiting Nepal. During that trip, I realized how powerful connections through stories could be. Over the years we have had the privilege of working with hundreds of teachers and thousands of students all around the world. making that dream come true. I have presented professional development workshops in several countries around the world including the US, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, China, Borneo, and Taiwan, as well as at virtual conferences including the Global Education Conference (GEC) and the International School Counseling Association (ISCA). Six years ago I opened a small wellness center in Taiwan where I run classes and workshops around yoga, meditation, mindfulness, personal healing, growth, development, and empowerment. For the past five years, I have co-organized a consistently growing annual weekend workshop event that focuses on body, mind, and spirit. This event brings participants together from all across Taiwan. I’m always looking to connect with passionate educators, entrepreneurs, and wellness coaches. If these resonate with you, feel free to reach out and connect.
